Mavericks-Cavaliers Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Feb 04 2012 2:12AM

While a second consecutive loss surely left the Dallas Mavericks disappointed, they seemed to take solace in watching reigning NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki finally round back into form.

With Nowitzki looking to build on his highest scoring output of the season, the Mavericks try to get back on track as they open a three-game road swing Saturday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Two nights following a 95-86 defeat to NBA-leading Oklahoma City, Dallas (14-10) fell 98-87 to surging Indiana on Friday. It wasn't all bad news for the Mavericks, though, as Nowitzki came up big after struggling since returning from injury.

After recording a combined 28 points while shooting 28.2 percent from the floor in his first three games since a planned four-game absence to strengthen his sore right knee, Nowitzki scored 30 on 12-of-17 shooting versus the Pacers.

"I had some good looks and knocked them down. I finally got into a good rhythm. The strength in my legs is coming back. Hard work always pays off," said Nowitzki, averaging just 16.9 points this season - significantly lower than his career mark of 22.8.

While the Mavericks dropped to 1-5 when Nowitzki scores more than 20 points, they were more than thrilled to see him looking like his former self.

"Every day he's moving better. At some point, this kind of game was going to be a reality," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It was great to see because he was doing everything. He was shooting the ball, he was driving the ball, rebounding. Overall, he was very active. Very positive."

Nowitzki now looks for his momentum to carry over versus Cleveland (8-13), which lost for the seventh time in nine games with Friday's 102-94 defeat at Orlando. After trailing by as many as 21 points, the Cavaliers cut the lead to five with 2:12 to play but couldn't complete the comeback despite a season-best 41 points in the fourth quarter.

"I wish we could put the first three quarters together like we did the fourth," coach Byron Scott said. "We couldn't throw the ball in the ocean for the first three quarters. It was tough.

"I don't know what we have to do as far as trying to bring that same rhythm that we have in the fourth quarter to the first quarter, but we'll figure it out."

Kyrie Irving, the first overall pick in June's draft, made just 7 of 21 shots and finished with 18 points. While he's put up 23.5 points per contest on 50.7 percent shooting over a four-game stretch, Cleveland has prevailed just once during that span.

After posting a season-high 20 points and career-best 20 rebounds in Tuesday's 93-90 loss to Boston, Anderson Varejao had 12 and 15, respectively, Friday. He is averaging 16.7 points over his last three games - 6.2 more than his season mark.

The Cavaliers have dropped three straight in the series, losing both meetings last season. After falling 104-95 at home Jan. 2, 2011, Cleveland hung around before suffering a 99-96 defeat in Dallas last Feb. 7. An injured Nowitzki was held out of that first matchup, and he scored just 12 points in the second.

Dallas' Jason Kidd is likely to miss his fifth consecutive game due to a strained right calf. He could be back Wednesday at Denver.

Cleveland, meanwhile, was without Daniel Gibson (soft tissue infection in neck), Anthony Parker (back strain) and rookie Tristan Thompson (ankle sprain) on Friday. It's unknown if they will be available in this one.

Irving leads Cavs over Mavericks

By TOM WITHERS
Posted Feb 04 2012 11:23PM

CLEVELAND (AP) One spectacular late-game layup in a week wasn't enough for rookie Kyrie Irving.

So, the cool-as-ice kid dropped in another.

Irving made a driving layup in traffic with 15.8 seconds left - one similar to the shot he made last Sunday in Boston - to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 91-88 win Saturday night over the Dallas Mavericks, who were unable to stop the 19-year-old sensation when it mattered most.

"Big players make big plays," said Mavericks guard Delonte West. "Irving made some big plays down the stretch."

Irving, who has shown a knack for last-second drama in his first season, finished with 20 points, 7 assists and just one turnover in 36 minutes. Anderson Varejao added 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Cavs, who outscored the Mavericks 10-3 over the final 4:13.

After thrilling a crowd of 17,443 and helping the Cavs get their first win over a team with an above .500 record this season, Irving was brought back on the floor to be interviewed over the loudspeakers in Quicken Loans Arena.

"I have one thing to say, Kyrie," the arena's in-game host said. "Welcome to Cleveland."

Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 points for Dallas and passed Elgin Baylor for 22nd place on the NBA's scoring list. But the Mavericks didn't score a field goal in the final 4:13, missing five shots and making one turnover. They won't get a chance to redeem themselves until Wednesday at Denver.

"It's ugly, especially since we have to sit on this one for a couple of days," Nowitzki said. "We'll enjoy our day off, the best we can, and come back to work."

Irving, who is averaging 22.8 points in his last four games, took over in the final minutes. There was no hesitation in any move. Irving knew what he wanted to do, and he did it.

"I just feel my teammates' confidence going down the stretch," he explained. "They continue to give me the ball and they have the confidence in me to make the right play for myself and for them. Once you have that confidence, it's easy going into the fourth quarter.

"Being a rookie and having the ball in your hands, most people would be nervous, but I'm really not. I feed off my teammates' confidence, it feels good."

So, when does he get nervous?

"I get nervous before almost every game," he said, chuckling. "Once I get in the game, nerves go out the window. If you play nervous you're most likely unprepared."

After Irving's twisting layup, Jason Terry missed an off-balance 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left for Dallas. After a replay review gave the Mavericks a final chance, Brandan Wright missed a desperation shot at the horn.

Before hitting his late layup, Irving made a similar one - after Varejao's seventh offensive rebound - with 2:36 left to give the Cavs an 87-86 lead.

The Mavericks, who were so efficient on the way to their title last season, seemed lost on offense in the closing minutes. Terry missed with 2:14 to go and he made a bad pass in the lane to a cutting Nowitzki, who then had his own miss with one minute left.

Varejao dropped a runner in the lane to put the Cavaliers ahead 89-86 with 41.4 seconds left. Terry's two free throws got the Mavericks within one, and that's when Irving, Cleveland's young star, put the game in his hands.

He drove the left side, created some space near the basket and flipped in his shot right-handed off the glass.

"He's a very good young player, but we didn't guard him very well," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "He'll be a foundation piece for more than a decade for sure."

Cavs coach Byron Scott was more than willing to let Irving take control.

""We put the ball in his hands and let him make decisions," Scott said. "He has a unique ability to get to the basket. When he gets there, he has a way of finishing. Once he gets around guys, he is just a great finisher and he can finish with either hand."

Down by eight at halftime and playing ragged offensive, the Cavaliers reeled off 13 straight points in the third quarter, in which they outscored the Mavericks 27-13 and somehow took a 70-64 lead into the fourth.

Last spring, the Mavericks were adopted by Cleveland as the city rooted hard for them in the NBA finals when they denied LeBron James and the Miami Heat a championship.

"I heard some things about it," Carlisle said. "Last year was great for us. We know people were pulling for us and that was one of the special things about it."

The Mavericks, who played their fifth game without point guard Jason Kidd (calf) were cheered during pregame introductions by Cavaliers fans, who were especially noisy for Nowitzki, the finals MVP last season.

But the loudest ovations came later for Irving. He's not only proving to be worthy of the No. 1 overall pick but showing superstar qualities.

And he's only getting started.

NOTES: Nowitzki needs 23 points to tie Adrian Dantley (23,177) for 21st place. ... Varejao has 51 rebounds in his last four games. He is the first Cavs player to get 15 in three straight since Brad Daugherty in 1994. ... Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, fined $75,000 &earlier this week for criticizing officials, was not with the team and spending more money. He was in Indianapolis hosting a Super Bowl party. ... Scott didn't hesitate when asked to predict the Super Bowl. "Giants 27 to 21," said the former Lakers guard. "You guys should know that I don't like anything from Boston - Celtics, Red Sox or Patriots." ... The Cavs were still without G Daniel Gibson (neck), G Anthony Parker (back) and rookie F Tristan Thompson (ankle). Gibson was hospitalized earlier this week in Boston and Scott said the team's doctors want to re-evaluate him before deciding when he can return.

Notebook: Cavaliers 91, Mavericks 88

By Brian Dulik, for NBA.com
Posted Sunday February 5, 2012 12:24AM

THE FACTS: Rookie point guard Kyrie Irving scored six of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 91-88 victory over the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. Irving also tied his season best with seven assists and only had one turnover in 36 minutes. Center Anderson Varejao added 17 points and a game-high 17 rebounds for Cleveland, which rallied from a 15-point deficit at Quicken Loans Arena. Forward Dirk Nowitzki collected a game-high 24 points and eight boards for Dallas, which made 21 turnovers in losing its third straight contest.

QUOTABLE: "They really took it to us and really picked up their energy. It's ugly, especially since we have to sit on this one for a couple of days. We'll enjoy our day off, the best we can, and come back to work."
-- Nowitzki

THE STAT: Varejao is averaging 16.8 points and 12.8 rebounds in his last four contests while shooting 56.3 percent from the field. "Wild Thing" also became the first Cleveland player with three straight 15-plus rebound games since Brad Daugherty from Jan. 21-25, 1994. "He's an animal, we knew that coming in," Nowitzki said. "He's got a great nose for the ball and he just keeps coming. I don't think we're the only team he's done it to." Varejao leads the NBA with 103 offensive boards after grabbing seven against Dallas.

TURNING POINT: The Cavaliers ended the game on a 10-3 run, highlighted by two driving layups in traffic by Irving. The No. 1 overall draft pick put Cleveland ahead for good at 87-86 with 2:35 left, then closed out the scoring with a gorgeous spinning hoop with 16 seconds left. "I told him to just run this one play that we have been running," Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said. "Just keep the ball in his hands where he can make a decision. He made a great move, got to the basket, great finish."

QUOTABLE II: "Irving is a very good young player, but we didn't guard him very well tonight. He'll be a foundation piece for more than a decade, for sure."
-- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle

HOT: Nowitzki (23,154) passed Elgin Baylor (23,149) to move into 22nd place in NBA history in career points. Adrian Dantley (23,177) is 21st. ... Nowitzki is 21-for-32 from the field in his last two games (65.6 percent). ... Mavericks center Brendan Haywood made all four of his shots and scored 10 points in 19 minutes. ... Irving buried nine of his final 12 field-goal attempts after starting the night 0-for-5. ... The Cavaliers' comeback from 15 points down was their largest of the season. Cleveland trailed 40-25 with 7:34 remaining in the second quarter.

NOT: Cavaliers power forwards Luke Harangody and Antawn Jamison both missed badly on 3-point attempts in the first half. Harangody finished with zero points and three fouls in 15 minutes off the bench. ... Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions was 2-for-11 from the field. ... Cleveland center Ryan Hollins missed a dunk and picked up a technical foul after going nose-to-nose with Mavericks forward Lamar Odom. ... Dallas did not have an offensive rebound in the first half. ... The Mavericks allowed 19 points off turnovers.

QUOTABLE III: "We're still heading in the right direction. I don't think we're on the wrong path. We're still missing Jason Kidd, and I think once he comes back, we'll be all right, man. We're a veteran team."
-- Mavericks guard Delonte West

GOOD MOVE: Carlisle gave Brandan Wright all of the backup minutes at power forward, while not playing Ian Mahinmi for the first time this season. Wright responded with 11 points, a team-high tying eight rebounds, and a game-best four blocked shots. "Brandan Wright has produced virtually every time we've put him in the game," Carlisle said. "It was just a coach's decision tonight with Ian."

BAD MOVE: Scott opened the fourth quarter with a lineup of Harangody, Hollins, Sessions, small forward Omri Casspi, and shooting guard Alonzo Gee. That unit promptly squandered a 70-64 lead by allowing Dallas to score eight straight points. ... Cavaliers center Semih Erden played six lethargic minutes in the first half, failing to score or play quality defense. He sat the final two quarters.

NOTABLE: Jamison had 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Cavaliers. ... West collected 11 points and seven assists in his first game in Cleveland since being traded to Minnesota following the 2010 NBA playoffs. ... Dallas suffered its first loss of the season when shooting at least 45 percent from the field (7-1). ... Mavericks owner Mark Cuban did not accompany the team to Cleveland because he was hosting a Super Bowl party in Indianapolis. ... The Cavaliers did not have the services of power forward Tristan Thompson (left ankle sprain), and shooting guards Anthony Parker (lower back strain) and Daniel Gibson (soft tissue infection in neck), while the Mavericks were without point guard Kidd (right calf strain).

UP NEXT: For the Mavericks, Wednesday @ Denver, Friday @ Minnesota, Saturday vs. Portland. For the Cavaliers, Tuesday @ Miami, Wednesday vs. L.A. Clippers, Friday vs. Milwaukee.

• Mavericks: Kidd, Williams
• Cavaliers: Gibson, Parker, Thompson

• Mavericks: --
• Cavaliers: Hollins

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
• Officials: #13 Monty McCutchen, #73 Tre Maddox, #74 Curtis Blair
• Attendance: 17443
• Duration: 2:11